Swage machine hinge systems and methods

ABSTRACT

Techniques for implementing and/or operating a system that includes a pipe fitting and a swage machine. The swage machine includes a grab plate having a grab tab that matingly interlocks with a grab notch on the pipe fitting to facilitate securing the swage machine to the pipe fitting and a die plate having a die seat that enables a set of die segments to be used to conformally deform the pipe fitting around the tubing of the pipe segment to be loaded in the swage machine. The die plate and the grab plate include a base plate section, a hinge plate secured to the base plate section via a hinge fastener such that the hinge plate directly abuts the base plate section, and a pivotable plate section secured to the hinge plate via a hinge fastener such that the hinge plate directly abuts the pivotable plate section.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure generally relates to pipeline systems and, moreparticularly, to a swage machine that may implemented and/or operated tofacilitate securing a pipe fitting to a pipe segment in a pipelinesystem.

Pipeline systems are often used to transport (e.g., convey) fluid, suchas liquid and/or gas, from a fluid source to a fluid destination. Forexample, a pipeline system may be used to transport one or morehydrocarbons, such as crude oil, petroleum, natural gas, or anycombination thereof. Additionally or alternatively, a pipeline systemmay be used to transport one or more other types of fluid, such asproduced water, potable water, fresh water, fracturing fluid, flowbackfluid, carbon dioxide, or any combination thereof.

To facilitate transporting fluid, a pipeline system may include one ormore pipe segments in addition to pipe (e.g., midline and/or end)fittings, which are used to connect a pipe segment to another pipelinecomponent, such as another pipe fitting, another pipe segment, a fluidsource, and/or a fluid destination. Generally, a pipe segment includestubing, which defines (e.g., encloses) a pipe bore that provides aprimary fluid conveyance (e.g., flow) path through the pipe segment.More specifically, the tubing of a pipe segment may be implemented tofacilitate isolating (e.g., insulating) fluid being conveyed within itspipe bore from environmental conditions external to the pipe segment,for example, to reduce the likelihood of the conveyed (e.g., bore) fluidbeing lost to the external environmental conditions and/or the externalenvironmental conditions contaminating the conveyed fluid (e.g., cleanand/or potable water).

Additionally, in some instances, a pipe fitting may be secured to a pipesegment using special-purpose deployment equipment—namely a swagemachine, which is implemented and/or operated to conformally deform atleast a portion of the pipe fitting around the tubing of the pipesegment such that the portion of the pipe fitting engages the pipesegment tubing. To facilitate swaging (e.g., conformally deforming) apipe fitting, a swage machine may generally include a grab plate, whichis implemented to matingly interlock with a grab notch on the pipefitting to facilitate securing the swage machine to the pipe fitting, adie plate, which is implemented to enable a set of die segments that isto be used to swage the pipe fitting to be loaded in the swage machine,and one or more actuators, which are implemented and/or operated toselectively move the die plate over the pipe fitting in an axialdirection. Since a pipe fitting to be swaged by a swage machine may notnecessarily be at an end of a pipeline system, in some instances, eachplate (e.g., die plate and grab plate) of the swage machine may includeone or more hinges that enable the swage machine to be selectivelyclosed around the pipe fitting. However, a hinge in a swage machineplate is often a weak point in a swage machine, thereby potentiallylimiting load capacity of the swage machine and, thus, potentially thesize (e.g., outer diameter) of pipe fittings for which the swage machineis suitable for swaging, for example, due to the swage machine hingeincluding an air gap.

SUMMARY

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts that arefurther described below in the detailed description. This summary is notintended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subjectmatter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in limiting the scope ofthe claimed subject matter.

In one embodiment, a system includes a pipe fitting, which is to besecured to a pipe segment having tubing that defines a pipe bore and afluid conduit in a tubing annulus, and a swage machine. The swagemachine includes a grab plate having a grab tab that matingly interlockswith a grab notch on the pipe fitting to facilitate securing the swagemachine to the pipe fitting and a die plate having a die seat thatenables a set of die segments to be used to conformally deform a portionof the pipe fitting around the tubing of the pipe segment to be loadedin the swage machine. The die plate and the grab plate include a baseplate section, a hinge plate secured to the base plate section via afirst hinge fastener such that the hinge plate directly abuts the baseplate section, and a pivotable plate section secured to the hinge platevia a second hinge fastener such that the hinge plate directly abuts thepivotable plate section, in which the pivotable plate section rotatesrelative to the base plate section to facilitate transitioning the swagemachine between an opened state and a closed state.

In another embodiment, a method of implementing a swage machine,includes implementing a grab plate with a grab tab that matinglyinterlocks with a grab notch on a pipe fitting to be swaged by the swagemachine to facilitate securing the swage machine to the pipe fitting andimplementing a die plate with a die seat that enables a set of diesegments to be used to conformally deform a fitting jacket of the pipefitting around pipe segment tubing to be loaded into the swage machine.In particular, implementing the die plate and implementing the grabplate includes securing a hinge plate to a base plate section via afirst hinge fastener such that the hinge plate directly abuts the baseplate section and securing the hinge plate to a pivotable plate sectionvia a second hinge fastener to enable the pivotable plate section torotate relative to the base plate section.

In another embodiment, a swage machine includes a swage machine plate.The swage machine plate includes plate sections to be disposedcircumferentially around a pipe fitting and a hinge that enables a firstplate section of the plate sections and a second plate section of theplate sections to rotate relative to one another to facilitatetransitioning the swage machine between an opened state and a closedstate. The hinge includes a hinge plate having a first fastener openingand a second fastener opening, a first hinge fastener that secures thehinge plate to the first plate section via the first fastener openingsuch that the hinge plate directly abuts the first plate section, and asecond hinge fastener that secures the hinge plate to the second platesection via the second fastener opening such that the hinge platedirectly abuts the second plate section.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an example of a pipeline system includingpipe segments and pipe fittings, in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a side view of an example of a pipe segment of FIG. 1 thatincludes a pipe bore defined by its tubing as well as fluid conduitsdefined within an annulus of its tubing, in accordance with anembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is an example of a portion of the pipe segment of FIG. 2 with ahelically shaped fluid conduit defined within the annulus of its tubing,in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an example of a swage machinesecured to a portion of the pipeline system of FIG. 1, in accordancewith an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an example of the swage machine of FIG.4 in an opened state, in accordance with an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the swage machine of FIG. 5 in a closedstate, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a side view of an example of a portion of a swage machineplate that includes a hinge, in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 8 is a flow diagram of an example of a process for implementing aswage machine, in accordance with an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 9 is a flow diagram of an example of a process for implementing aswage machine plate, in accordance with an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

One or more specific embodiments of the present disclosure will bedescribed below with reference to the figures. As used herein, the term“coupled” or “coupled to” may indicate establishing either a direct orindirect connection and, thus, is not limited to either unless expresslyreferenced as such. The term “set” may refer to one or more items.Wherever possible, like or identical reference numerals are used in thefigures to identify common or the same features. The figures are notnecessarily to scale. In particular, certain features and/or certainviews of the figures may be shown exaggerated in scale for purposes ofclarification.

The present disclosure generally relates to pipeline systems that may beimplemented and/or operated to transport (e.g., convey) fluid, such asliquid and/or gas, from a fluid source to a fluid destination.Generally, a pipeline system may include pipe fittings, such as amidline pipe fitting and/or a pipe end fitting, and one or more pipesegments, which each includes tubing that defines (e.g., encloses) acorresponding pipe bore. More specifically, a pipe segment may generallybe secured and sealed in one or more pipe fittings to facilitate fluidlycoupling the pipe segment to another pipeline component, such as anotherpipe segment, another pipe fitting, a fluid source, and/or a fluiddestination. Merely as an illustrative non-limiting example, a pipelinesystem may include a first pipe end fitting secured to a first pipesegment to facilitate fluidly coupling the first pipe segment to thefluid source, a midline pipe fitting secured between the first pipesegment and a second pipe segment to facilitate fluidly coupling thefirst pipe segment to the second pipe segment, and a second pipe endfitting secured to the second pipe segment to facilitate fluidlycoupling the second pipe segment to the fluid destination.

In any case, to enable fluid flow therethrough, a pipe fitting maygenerally include a fitting bore, which is defined (e.g., enclosed) by afitting tube. Additionally, in some instances, the pipe fitting may besecured to a pipe segment at least in part by securing the tubing of thepipe segment around the fitting tube of the pipe fitting using swagingtechniques. To facilitate securing a pipe segment thereto via swagingtechniques, the pipe fitting may include one or more fitting jacketsimplemented circumferentially around its fitting tube. When implementedin this manner, the pipe fitting may be secured to the pipe fitting viaswaging techniques at least in part by disposing (e.g., inserting) thetubing of the pipe segment in a tubing cavity of the pipe fitting, whichis defined (e.g., enclosed) between a corresponding fitting jacket andthe fitting tube, and conformally deforming the fitting jacket aroundthe pipe segment tubing such that an inner surface of the fitting jacketand/or an outer surface of the fitting tube engage a correspondingsurface of the pipe segment tubing.

In fact, in some instances, special-purpose deployment equipment—namelya swage machine—may be implemented and/or operated to facilitateconformally deforming a fitting jacket of a pipe fitting around thetubing of a pipe segment. In particular, to facilitate conformallydeforming a fitting jacket of a pipe fitting around pipe segment tubing,the swage machine may generally include a grab plate and a die plate,for example, in addition to a support plate. More specifically, the grabplate of the swage machine may include grab tab, which is implemented(e.g., sized and/or shaped) to matingly interlock (e.g., engage and/orinterface) with a grab notch implemented circumferentially along anouter surface of the pipe fitting to facilitate securing the swagemachine to the pipe fitting. Additionally, the die plate of the swagemachine may be implemented to enable a set of die segments to be loadedtherein such that the set of die segments deforms a fitting jacket ofthe pipe fitting circumferentially in a radial inward direction whenpassed over the fitting jacket in an axial direction, for example, dueto operation of one or more swaging actuators. In other words, tofacilitate swaging a pipe fitting, at least the die plate and the grabplate of a swage machine may be disposed circumferentially around thepipe fitting.

Since a pipe fitting to be swaged may not necessarily be at an end of apipeline system, plates (e.g., die plate, grab plate, and/or supportplate) of a swage machine may be implemented to selectively transitionbetween an opened state, which enables the swage machine to be deployedat or removed from the pipe fitting, and a closed state, which enablesthe swage machine to swage the pipe fitting. To facilitate transitioningbetween its opened state and its closed state, a swage machine plate mayinclude a base plate section and one or more pivotable plate sections,which are each implemented to rotate (e.g., pivot) relative to the baseplate section. To enable pivoting, each pivotable plate section may beconnected to the base plate section via a corresponding hinge. However,a hinge in a swage machine plate is often a weak point in a swagemachine, thereby potentially limiting load capacity of the swage machineand, thus, potentially the size (e.g., outer diameter) of pipe fittingsfor which the swage machine is suitable for swaging, for example, due tothe swage machine hinge including an air gap.

Accordingly, to facilitate improving swage machine load capacity, thepresent disclosure provides techniques for implementing a swage machinewith improved hinge strength, for example, to enable the swage machineto be suitable for swaging large diameter (e.g., eight inch, ten inches,or larger) pipe fittings. To facilitate improving hinge strength, aswill be described in more detail below, a hinge in a swage machine plate(e.g., die plate, grab plate, and/or support plate) may generallyinclude one or more hinge plates, which are each implemented to securedto a base plate section of the swage machine plate and a correspondingpivotable plate section of the swage machine plate via multiplefasteners. For example, a swage machine hinge may include a (e.g.,first) hinge plate, which is implemented to be secured to first (e.g.,outward-facing) sides of a base plate section and a correspondingpivotable plate section. To facilitate further improving hinge strength,in some embodiments, the swage machine hinge may additionally include asecond hinge plate, which is implemented to be secured to second (e.g.,inward-facing and/or opposite) sides of the base plate section and thecorresponding pivotable plate section.

In any case, in some embodiments, the fasteners in a swage machine hingemay include bolts and/or screws. As such, to facilitate securing a hingeplate to corresponding plate sections via hinge fasteners, the hingeplate and the plate sections may each include one or more fasteneropenings (e.g., holes). In particular, to facilitate securing a hingeplate to a base plate section of a swage machine plate, the hinge platemay include a first fastener opening, which is implemented to align witha fastener opening implemented in the base plate section. To facilitatesecuring the hinge plate to a pivotable plate section of the swagemachine plate, the hinge machine plate may additionally include a secondfastener opening, which is implemented to align with a fastener openingimplemented in the pivotable plate section.

In other words, as will be described in more detail below, a swagemachine plate (e.g., die plate, grab plate, and/or support plate) in aswage machine may generally be implemented at least in part byimplementing a base plate section with a fastener opening, implementingone or more pivotable plate sections each with a fastener opening, andimplementing one or more hinge plates each with multiple fasteneropenings. A swage machine hinge may then be implemented at least in partby aligning a first faster fastener opening in a (e.g., first) hingeplate with the fastener opening in the base plate section, securing afirst hinge fastener in the first hinge plate fastener opening and thebase section fastener opening, aligning a second fastener opening in thehinge plate with the fastener opening in a pivotable plate section, andsecuring a second hinge fastener in the second hinge plate fasteneropening and the pivotable section fastener opening. To facilitateimproving hinge strength, in some embodiments, a second hinge plate mayalso be secured to an opposite side of the base plate section via thefirst hinge fastener and to an opposite side of the pivotable platesection via the second hinge fastener. In any case, implementing a swagemachine plate in this manner may enable each pivotable plate section inthe swage machine plate to rotate (e.g., pivot) relative to the baseplate section of the swage machine plate and, thus, enable the swagemachine plate to be selectively transitioned between its opened stateand its closed state, for example, due to a hinge plate rotatingrelative to the base plate section and/or a pivotable plate sectionrotating relative to the hinge plate.

However, to facilitate improving control over the transition of a swagemachine plate between its opened state and its closed state, in someembodiments, one or more plate sections of the swage machine plate maybe implemented to limit rotation of a corresponding hinge plate relativethereto. For example, in some such embodiments, the base plate sectionof a swage machine plate may be implemented to block rotation of a hingeplate relative thereto, thereby resulting in a corresponding pivotableplate section of the swage machine plate rotating relative to the baseplate section due solely to rotation of the pivotable plate sectionrelative to the hinge plate. Additionally or alternatively, although ahinge plate is allowed to rotate relative thereto, a pivotable platesection of a swage machine plate may be implemented to limit rotation toa specific range.

To facilitate limiting rotation of a hinge plate relative a platesection of a swage machine plate, in some embodiments, a hinge platerecess may be implemented in the plate section, for example, such thatthe hinge plate recess surrounds a corresponding fastener opening in theplate section and, thus, may also facilitate aligning a fastener openingin the hinge plate with the plate section fastener opening. Inparticular, to facilitate limiting rotation of a hinge plate to aspecific range, in some embodiments, a hinge plate recess in a (e.g.,pivotable) plate section of a swage machine plate may be implementedsuch that the shape of a first side of the hinge plate recess generallymatches the shape of a first side of a corresponding end of the hingeplate when the hinge plate is at one end of the specific rotation rangeand the shape of a second (e.g., opposite) side of the hinge platerecess generally matches the shape of a second (e.g., opposite) side ofthe corresponding end of the hinge plate when the hinge plate is at theother end of the specific rotation range. Furthermore, to facilitateblocking rotation of a hinge plate relative thereto, in someembodiments, a hinge plate recess in a (e.g., base) plate section of aswage machine plate may be implemented such that the shape of the hingeplate recess generally matches the shape of a corresponding end of thehinge plate. Additionally or alternatively, to facilitate blockingrotation of a hinge plate relative a plate section of a swage machineplate, in some embodiments, the hinge plate may be secured to the platesection via a shear screw, for example, instead of a bolt.

In any case, a swage machine hinge implemented in a swage machine plate(e.g., grab plate, die plate, and/or support plate) in accordance withthe present disclosure may facilitate improving hinge strength due atleast in part to the swage machine hinge enabling a hinge plate to besecured such that it directly abuts the base plate section and acorresponding pivotable plate section of the swage machine plate. Assuch, the swage machine hinge may enable force (e.g., stress and/orload) exerted on the base plate section to be transferred directly tothe hinge plate and vice versa while enabling force exerted on thepivotable plate section to be transferred directly to the hinge plateand vice versa. In other words, the swage machine hinge may enable force(e.g., stress and/or load) exerted on the swage machine plate to betransferred between the base plate section and the pivotable platesection via plates of solid material, for example, instead of via a pinand an air gap, and, thus, facilitates improving hinge strength.

To facilitate further improving hinge strength, in some embodiments, ahinge fastener used to secure a hinge plate to a corresponding platesection of a swage machine plate may be pre-loaded. In particular, ahinge fastener may be pre-loaded at least in part by tightening thehinge fastener beyond what is sufficient to cause the hinge plate todirectly abut a corresponding plate section of a swage machine plate. Inother words, pre-loading the hinge fastener may compress the hinge plateand the plate section of the swage machine plate toward one another,which, at least in some instances, may facilitate further improvinghinge strength, for example, due to the compressive force furtherreducing any air gap between the hinge plate and the plate section ofthe swage machine plate. In this manner, as will be described in moredetail below, the present disclosure provides techniques forimplementing a swage machine with improved hinge strength, which, atleast in some instances, may facilitate improving load capacity of theswage machine, for example, to facilitate making the swage machinesuitable for swaging larger diameter pipe fittings in a pipeline system.

To help illustrate, an example of a pipeline system 10 is shown inFIG. 1. As in the depicted example, the pipeline system 10 may becoupled between a bore fluid source 12 and a bore fluid destination 14.Merely as an illustrative non-limiting example, the bore fluid source 12may be a production well and the bore fluid destination 14 may be afluid storage tank. In other instances, the bore fluid source 12 may bea first (e.g., lease facility) storage tank and the bore fluiddestination 14 may be a second (e.g., refinery) storage tank.

In any case, the pipeline system 10 may generally be implemented and/oroperated to facilitate transporting (e.g., conveying) fluid, such as gasand/or liquid, from the bore fluid source 12 to the bore fluiddestination 14. In fact, in some embodiments, the pipeline system 10 maybe used in many applications, including without limitation, both onshoreand offshore oil and gas applications. For example, in such embodiments,the pipeline system 10 may be used to transport one or morehydrocarbons, such as crude oil, petroleum, natural gas, or anycombination thereof. Additionally or alternatively, the pipeline system10 may be used to transport one or more other types of fluid, such asproduced water, fresh water, fracturing fluid, flowback fluid, carbondioxide, or any combination thereof.

To facilitate flowing fluid to the bore fluid destination 14, in someembodiments, the bore fluid source 12 may include one or more bore fluidpumps 16 that are implemented and/or operated to inject (e.g., pumpand/or supply) fluid from the bore fluid source 12 into a bore of thepipeline system 10. However, it should be appreciated that the depictedexample is merely intended to be illustrative and not limiting. Inparticular, in other embodiments, one or more bore fluid pumps 16 maynot be implemented at the bore fluid source 12, for example, when fluidflow through the bore of the pipeline system 10 is produced by gravity.Additionally or alternatively, in other embodiments, one or more borefluid pumps 16 may be implemented in the pipeline system 10 and/or atthe bore fluid destination 14.

To facilitate transporting fluid from the bore fluid source 12 to thebore fluid destination 14, as in the depicted example, a pipeline system10 may include pipe fittings 18 and one or more pipe segments 20. Forexample, the depicted pipeline system 10 includes a first pipe segment20A, a second pipe segment 20B, and an Nth pipe segment 20N.Additionally, the depicted pipeline system 10 includes a first pipe(e.g., end) fitting 18A, which couples the bore fluid source 12 to thefirst pipe segment 20A, a second pipe (e.g., midline) fitting 18B, whichcouples the first pipe segment 20A to the second pipe segment 20B, andan Nth pipe (e.g., end) fitting 18N, which couples the Nth pipe segment20N to the bore fluid destination 14.

However, it should again be appreciated that the depicted example ismerely intended to be illustrative and not limiting. In particular, inother embodiments, a pipeline system 10 may include fewer than three(e.g., two or one) pipe segments 20 or more than three (e.g., four,five, or more) pipe segments 20. Additionally or alternatively, in otherembodiments, a pipeline system 10 may include fewer than four (e.g.,three or two) pipe fittings 18 or more than four (e.g., five, six, ormore) pipe fittings 18.

In any case, as described above, a pipe segment 20 generally includestubing that may be used to convey (e.g., transfer and/or transport)water, gas, oil, and/or any other suitable type of fluid. The tubing ofa pipe segment 20 may be made of any suitable type of material, such asplastic, metal, and/or a composite (e.g., fiber-reinforced composite)material. In fact, as will be described in more detail below, in someembodiments, the tubing of a pipe segment 20 may be implemented usingmultiple different layers. For example, the tubing of a pipe segment 20may include a first high-density polyethylene (e.g., internal corrosionprotection) layer, one or more intermediate (e.g., steel strip) layersexternal to the first high-density polyethylene layer, and a secondhigh-density polyethylene (e.g., external corrosion protection) layerexternal to the one or more intermediate layers.

Additionally, as in the depicted example, one or more (e.g., secondand/or Nth) pipe segments 20 in a pipeline system 10 may be curved. Tofacilitate implementing a curve in a pipe segment 20, in someembodiments, the pipe segment 20 may be flexible, for example, such thatthe pipe segment 20 is spoolable on a reel and/or in a coil (e.g.,during transport and/or before deployment of the pipe segment 20). Inother words, in some embodiments, one or more pipe segments 20 in thepipeline system 10 may be a flexible pipe, such as a bonded flexiblepipe, an unbonded flexible pipe, a flexible composite pipe (FCP), athermoplastic composite pipe (TCP), or a reinforced thermoplastic pipe(RTP). In fact, at least in some instances, increasing flexibility of apipe segment 20 may facilitate improving deployment efficiency of apipeline system 10, for example, by obviating a curved (e.g., elbow)pipe fitting 18 and/or enabling the pipe segment 20 to be transported tothe pipeline system 10, deployed in the pipeline system 10, or bothusing a tighter spool.

To facilitate improving pipe flexibility, in some embodiments, thetubing of a pipe segment 20 that defines (e.g., encloses) its pipe boremay additionally define free space (e.g., one or more gaps) devoid ofsolid material within its annulus. In fact, in some embodiments, freespace defined in the tubing of a pipe segment 20 may run (e.g., span)the length of the pipe segment 20 and, thus, define (e.g., enclose) afluid conduit (e.g., free space) in the annulus of the tubing, which isseparate from the pipe bore. In other words, in such embodiments, fluidmay flow through a pipe segment 20 via its pipe bore, free space (e.g.,gaps and/or one or more fluid conduits) defined within its tubingannulus, or both.

To help illustrate, an example of a pipe segment 20, which includestubing 22 with fluid conduits (e.g., free space) 24 defined in itsannulus 25, is shown in FIG. 2. As depicted, the pipe segment tubing 22is implemented with multiple layers including an inner barrier (e.g.,liner) layer 26 and an outer barrier (e.g., shield and/or sheath) layer28. In some embodiments, the inner barrier layer 26 and/or the outerbarrier layer 28 of the pipe segment tubing 22 may be implemented usingcomposite material and/or plastic, such as high-density polyethylene(HDPE) and/or raised temperature polyethylene (PE-RT). Although a numberof particular layers are depicted, it should be understood that thetechniques described in the present disclosure may be broadly applicableto composite pipe body structures including two or more layers, forexample, as distinguished from a rubber or plastic single-layer hosesubject to vulcanization. In any case, as depicted, an inner surface 30of the inner barrier layer 26 defines (e.g., encloses) a pipe bore 32through which fluid can flow, for example, to facilitate transportingfluid from a bore fluid source 12 to a bore fluid destination 14.

Additionally, as depicted, the annulus 25 of the pipe segment tubing 22is implemented between its inner barrier layer 26 and its outer barrierlayer 28. As will be described in more detail below, the tubing annulus25 may include one or more intermediate layers of the pipe segmenttubing 22. Furthermore, as depicted, fluid conduits (e.g., free spaceand/or gaps) 24 running along the length of the pipe segment 20 aredefined (e.g., enclosed) in the tubing annulus 25. As described above, afluid conduit 24 in the tubing annulus 25 may be devoid of solidmaterial. As such, pipe segment tubing 22 that includes one or morefluid conduits 24 defined in its annulus 25 may include less solidmaterial and, thus, exert less resistance to flexure, for example,compared to solid pipe segment tubing 22 and/or pipe segment tubing 22that does not include fluid conduits 24 defined therein. Moreover, tofacilitate further improving pipe flexibility, in some embodiments, oneor more layers in the tubing 22 of a pipe segment 20 may be unbondedfrom one or more other layers in the tubing 22 and, thus, the pipesegment 20 may be an unbonded pipe.

However, it should be appreciated that the depicted example is merelyintended to be illustrative and not limiting. In particular, in otherembodiments, a pipe segment 20 may include fewer than two (e.g., one) ormore that two (e.g., three, four, or more) fluid conduits 24 defined inits tubing annulus 25. Additionally or alternatively, in otherembodiments, a fluid conduit 24 defined in the tubing annulus 25 of apipe segment 20 may run non-parallel to the pipe bore 32 of the pipesegment 20, for example, such that the fluid conduit 24 is skewedrelative to the longitudinal extent of the pipe bore 32 of the pipesegment 20.

To help illustrate, an example of a portion 36 of a pipe segment 20,which includes an inner barrier layer 26 and an intermediate layer 34included in the annulus 25 of its pipe segment tubing 22, is shown inFIG. 3. In some embodiments, one or more intermediate layers 34 of thepipe segment tubing 22 may be implemented at least in part usingcomposite material and/or metal, such as carbon steel, stainless steel,duplex stainless steel, super duplex stainless steel, or any combinationthereof. In other words, at least in some such embodiments, theintermediate layer 34 of the pipe segment tubing 22 may be implementedusing electrically conductive material, which, at least in someinstances, may enable communication of electrical (e.g., sensor and/orcontrol) signals via the intermediate layer 34.

In any case, as depicted, the intermediate layer 34 is helicallydisposed (e.g., wound and/or wrapped) on the inner barrier layer 26 suchthat free space is left between adjacent windings to define a fluidconduit 24. In other words, in some embodiments, the intermediate layer34 may be implemented at least in part by winding a metal (e.g., steel)strip around the inner barrier layer 26 at a non-zero lay angle (e.g.,fifty-four degrees) relative to the longitudinal extent of the pipe bore32. In any case, as depicted, the resulting fluid conduit 24 runshelically along the pipe segment 20, for example, such that the fluidconduit 24 is skewed fifty-four degrees relative to the longitudinalextent of the pipe bore 32.

In some embodiments, an outer barrier layer 28 may be disposed directlyover the depicted intermediate layer 34 and, thus, cover and/or define(e.g., enclose) the depicted fluid conduit 24. However, in otherembodiments, the tubing annulus 25 of a pipe segment 20 may includemultiple (e.g., two, three, four, or more) intermediate layers 34. Inother words, in such embodiments, one or more other intermediate layers34 may be disposed over the depicted intermediate layer 34. In fact, insome such embodiments, the one or more other intermediate layers 34 mayalso each be helically disposed such that free space is left betweenadjacent windings to implement one or more corresponding fluid conduits24 in the tubing annulus 25 of the pipe segment 20.

For example, a first other intermediate layer 34 may be helicallydisposed on the depicted intermediate layer 34 using the same non-zerolay angle as the depicted intermediate layer 34 to cover (e.g., defineand/or enclose) the depicted fluid conduit 24 and to implement anotherfluid conduit 24 in the first other intermediate layer 34. Additionally,a second other intermediate layer 34 may be helically disposed on thefirst other intermediate layer 34 using another non-zero lay angle,which is the inverse of the non-zero lay angle of the depictedintermediate layer 34, to implement another fluid conduit 24 in thesecond other intermediate layer 34. Furthermore, a third otherintermediate layer 34 may be helically disposed on the second otherintermediate layer 34 using the same non-zero lay angle as the secondother intermediate layer 34 to cover the other fluid conduit 24 in thesecond other intermediate layer 34 and to implement another fluidconduit 24 in the third other intermediate layer 34. In someembodiments, an outer barrier layer 28 may be disposed over the thirdother intermediate layer 34 and, thus, cover (e.g., define and/orenclose) the other fluid conduit 24 in the third other intermediatelayer 34.

In any case, to facilitate flowing fluid from a bore fluid source 12 toa bore fluid destination 14, as described above, one or more pipefittings 18, such as a midline pipe fitting 18 and/or a pipe end fitting18, may be secured to a pipe segment 20. In particular, as describedabove, in some instances, a pipe fitting 18 may be secured to a pipesegment 20 using swaging techniques, which conformally deform a fittingjacket of the pipe fitting 18 around tubing 22 of the pipe segment 20.In fact, in some embodiments, special-purpose deploymentequipment—namely a swage machine—may be implemented and/or operated tofacilitate securing a pipe fitting 18 to a pipe segment 20 duringdeployment of a pipeline system 10.

To help illustrate, an example cross-section of a swage machine 38 and aportion 40 of a pipeline system 10 is shown in FIG. 4. As depicted, theportion 40 of the pipeline system 10 includes a first pipe segment 20A,a second pipe segment 20B, and a pipe fitting 18, which is disposedbetween the first pipe segment 20A and the second pipe segment 20B.Additionally, as depicted, the pipe fitting 18 includes a fitting tube44 and a grab ring 46, which is implemented around the fitting tube 44.In particular, as depicted, the fitting tube 44 defines (e.g., encloses)a fitting bore 48, which is fluidly coupled to a first pipe bore 32A ofthe first pipe segment 20A and a second pipe bore 32B of the second pipesegment 20B.

In other words, the pipe fitting 18 in FIG. 4 may be a midline pipefitting 18. However, it should be appreciated that the depicted exampleis merely intended to be illustrative and not limiting. In particular,in other embodiments, the techniques described in the present disclosuremay additionally or alternatively be used with other types of pipefittings 18, such as a pipe end fitting 18.

In any case, as depicted, the pipe fitting 18 includes fitting jackets50—namely a first fitting jacket 50A and a second fitting jacket50B—implemented circumferentially around the fitting tube 44. Inparticular, as depicted, first tubing 22A of the first pipe segment 20Ais disposed in a first tubing cavity 54A of the pipe fitting 18, whichis defined between the first fitting jacket 50A and the fitting tube 44.Similarly, second tubing 22B of the second pipe segment 20B is disposedin a second tubing cavity 54B of the pipe fitting 18, which is definedbetween the second fitting jacket 50B and the fitting tube 44.

However, as depicted, open space 56 is present between the second tubing22B of the second pipe segment 20B and the second fitting jacket 50B ofthe pipe fitting 18 whereas minimal open space is present between thefirst tubing 22A of the first pipe segment 20A and the first fittingjacket 50A of the pipe fitting 18. As such, the pipe fitting 18 mayexert more resistance to tubing movement in the first tubing cavity 54Aand, thus, facilitate securing the pipe fitting 18 to the first pipesegment 20A. On the other hand, the pipe fitting 18 may exert lessresistance to tubing movement in the second tubing cavity 54B, which, atleast in some instances, may enable the second tubing 22B of the secondpipe segment 20B to move relatively freely into and/or out from thesecond tubing cavity 54B of the pipe fitting 18. As such, to facilitatesecuring the pipe fitting 18 to the second pipe segment 20B, the swagemachine 38 may be operated to conformally deform (e.g., swage) thesecond fitting jacket 50B around the second tubing 22B of the secondpipe segment 20B, thereby consuming at least a portion (e.g., majority)of the open space 56.

To facilitate conformally deforming a fitting jacket 50 around pipesegment tubing 22, as depicted, the swage machine 38 includes a grabplate 58 and a die plate 60. In particular, as depicted, the grab plate58 of the swage machine 38 includes a grab tab 66, which is implemented(e.g., sized and/or shaped) to matingly interlock (e.g., engage and/orinterface) with a grab notch 68 implemented circumferentially along thegrab ring 46 of the pipe fitting 18. In other words, the grab plate 58may be implemented to facilitate securing the swage machine 38 to thepipe fitting 18.

Additionally, as depicted, the die plate 60 of the swage machine 38includes a die seat 69, which is implemented to enable a set of diesegments 70 to be loaded therein. In particular, as depicted, the set ofdie segments 70 is loaded into the die plate 60 such that the set diesegments 70 opens toward the grab plate 58 of the swage machine 38. Assuch, when compressed against a fitting jacket 50 of the pipe fitting 18in an axial direction 72 toward the grab plate 58, the shape of the setof die segments 70 may compress the fitting jacket 50 circumferentiallyinward in a radial direction 74, for example, such that the fittingjacket 50 and pipe segment tubing 22 disposed in a corresponding tubingcavity 54 are conformally deformed.

To facilitate compressing a set of die segments 70 loaded in its dieplate 60 against a fitting jacket 50 in an axial direction 72, as in thedepicted example, a swage machine 38 may include one or more swagingactuators 64. In particular, in the depicted example, the swage machine38 include a first swaging actuator 64A and an Nth swaging actuator 64N.In some embodiments, one or more swaging actuators 64 in a swage machine38 may be a fluid actuator, such as a hydraulic actuator or a pneumaticactuator. In any case, as depicted, each swaging actuator 64 of theswage machine 38 includes an actuator cylinder 78 and an actuator piston76, which selectively extends out from the actuator cylinder 78 based atleast in part on the supply of fluid (e.g., liquid and/or gas) to theactuator cylinder 78 and/or selectively retracts into the actuatorcylinder 78 based at least in part on the extraction of fluid from theactuator cylinder 78.

In particular, in the depicted example, the actuator cylinder 78 of eachswaging actuator 64 is secured to the die plate 60 of the swage machine38. Additionally, in the depicted example, the actuator piston 76 ofeach swaging actuator 64 extends through the die plate 60 and is securedto the grab plate 58 of the swage machine 38. As such, to facilitateperforming a swaging operation, the swage machine 38 may operate one ormore of its swaging actuators 64 to pull the grab plate 58 toward thedie plate 60 via one or more reverse (e.g., retracting) strokes suchthat the second fitting jacket 50B of the pipe fitting 18 secured to thegrab plate 58 moves through the set of die segments 70 loaded in the dieplate 60.

In other words, the ability of a swage machine 38 to swage a pipefitting 18 may be premised on a set of die segments 70 and, thus, thedie plate 60 in which the set of die segments 70 is loaded beingdisposed circumferentially around the pipe fitting 18. Additionally, asdescribed above, to facilitate securing a swage machine 38 to a pipefitting 18, the grab plate 58 of the swage machine 38 may matinglyinterlock with a grab notch 68 implemented circumferentially along theouter surface of the pipe fitting 18. Since a pipe fitting 18 to beswaged may not necessarily be at an end of a pipeline system 10, swagemachine plates (e.g., die plate 60 and/or grab plate 58) of a swagemachine 38 may be implemented to selectively transition between anopened state, which enables the swage machine 38 to be deployed at orremoved from the pipe fitting 18, and a closed state, which enables theswage machine 38 to swage the pipe fitting 18.

To help illustrate, a more detailed example of a swage machine 38A isshown in FIGS. 5 and 6. In particular, FIG. 5 shows the swage machine38A in an opened state. On the other hand, FIG. 6 shows the swagemachine 38A in its closed state.

As in the depicted example, in addition to a grab plate 58 and a dieplate 60, in some embodiments, a swage machine 38 may include a supportplate 80. In particular, in the depicted example, swaging actuators 64of the swage machine 38A are each secured to the support plate 80 suchthat its actuator cylinder 78 is secured between the support plate 80and the die plate 60A. As such, the support plate 80 may be implementedto facilitate supporting the swaging actuators 64 of the swage machine38A. Moreover, at least in some instances, the actuator cylinders 78 ofthe swaging actuators 64 may facilitate transferring force (e.g., stressand/or load) exerted on the die plate 60A to the support plate 80.

However, it should be appreciated that the depicted example is merelyintended to be illustrative and not limiting. In particular, in otherembodiments, a swage machine 38 may additionally include a housing, forexample, disposed around the actuator cylinders 78 of its swagingactuators 64 and secured to its die plate 60 and its support plate 80.Additionally, in other embodiments, a swage machine 38 may not include asupport plate 80. Furthermore, in other embodiments, a swage machine 38may additionally include one or more support bars secured between itsdie plate 60 and its support plate 80, for example, to facilitatesupplementing the force transfer provided by the actuator cylinders 78of the swaging actuators 64 in the swage machine 38. Moreover, in otherembodiments, a swage machine 38 may include more than six (e.g., seven,eight, or more) swaging actuators 64 or less than six (e.g., five, four,or less) swaging actuators 64.

In any case, as in the depicted example, to enable a swage machine 38 tobe transitioned between its opened state and its closed state, eachplate (e.g., grab plate 58, die plate 60, and/or support plate 80) ofthe swage machine 38 may be implemented using multiple platesections—namely a base plate section 82 and one or more pivotable platesections 84. In particular, to facilitate transitioning between theopened state and the closed state, each pivotable plate section 84 of aswage machine plate may be implemented to rotate (e.g., pivot) relativeto the base plate section 82 of the swage machine plate. To enable apivotable plate section 84 to rotate relative to a corresponding baseplate section 82, the pivotable plate section 84 may be connected to thebase plate section 82 via a hinge 86.

In some instances, a swage machine hinge 86 connected between a first(e.g., base) plate section and a second (e.g., pivotable) plate sectionof a swage machine plate may be implemented at least in part by forminga hinge slot with pin openings in the second plate section and forming ahinge extension with a pin opening on the first plate section. The hingeextension on the first plate section may then be disposed within thehinge slot in the second plate section such that the hinge extension pinopening is aligned with the hinge slot pin openings and a pin may thenbe secured within the pin openings. However, a swage machine hinge 86implemented in this manner generally results in a substantially (e.g.,significant) air gap (e.g., free space) being present within the swagemachine hinge 86 and, thus, limiting its strength.

To facilitate improving hinge strength, as depicted, each hinge 86 ofthe swage machine 38A is implemented to reduce (e.g., minimize) thepresence of any air gap therein. In particular, as depicted, each hinge86A in the grab plate 58A and the grab plate 60A includes multiple hingefasteners 88 and a (e.g., first) hinge plate 90A, which is implementedto be secured to outward-facing (e.g., first) sides of a base platesection 82 and a corresponding pivotable plate section 84 via the hingefasteners 88. As in the depicted example, in some embodiments, a hingefastener 88 in a swage machine hinge 86 may include a bolt.

Thus, to facilitate securing a hinge plate 90 to the base plate section82 and a corresponding pivotable plate section 84 of a swage machineplate, as depicted, the hinge plate 90 includes a first fastener opening(e.g., hole) 92A, which is implemented to be aligned with a fasteneropening 92 in the base plate section 82, and a second fastener opening92B, which is implemented to be aligned with a fastener opening 92 inthe pivotable plate section 84. As such, the hinge plate 90 may besecured to the base plate section 82 at least in part by securing afirst hinge fastener 88A in the first hinge plate fastener opening 92Aand the base section fastener opening 92. Similarly, the hinge plate 90may be secured to the pivotable plate section 84 at least in part bysecuring a second hinge fastener 88B in the second hinge plate fasteneropening 92B and the pivotable section fastener opening 92.

As in the depicted example, implementing a swage machine hinge 86A inthis manner may enable a hinge plate 90 of the swage machine hinge 86Ato directly abut a corresponding base plate section 82 and acorresponding pivotable plate section 84 of a swage machine plate,thereby reducing the presences of any air gap within the swage machinehinge 86A and, thus, at least in some instances, improving hingestrength. To facilitate further improving hinge strength, as in thedepicted example, in some embodiments, a swage machine hinge 86A mayadditionally include a second hinge plate 90B. In particular, as in thedepicted example, the second hinge plate 90B may be implemented to besecured to inward-facing (e.g., second and/or opposite) sides of acorresponding base plate section 82 and a corresponding pivotable platesection 84 via the hinge fasteners 88 used to secure a first hinge plate90A of the swage machine hinge 86A to the outward-facing sides of thebase plate section 82 and the pivotable plate section 84.

Moreover, implementing a swage machine hinge 86A in this manner mayenable the tradeoff between hinge strength and resulting swage machineweight to be adaptively adjusted. For example, when less force (e.g.,stress and/or load) is expected to be exerted on a (e.g., grab) plate ofa swage machine 38, thinner hinge plates 90 may be used in the swagemachine hinges 86A of the swage machine plate to facilitate reducing theweight of the swage machine 38. On the other hand, when more force isexpected to be exerted on a (e.g., die) plate of a swage machine,thicker hinge plates 90 may be used in the swage machine hinges 86A ofthe swage machine plate to facilitate improving hinge strength. In fact,in some embodiments, different thickness hinge plates 90 may be swappedinto a swage machine hinge 86A based at least in part on the forceexpected to be exerted thereon.

However, it should again be appreciated that the depicted example ismerely intended to be illustrative and not limiting. In particular, inother embodiments, a swage machine hinge 86A may include a single hingeplate 90. Additionally, although generally placed under less stress(e.g., force and/or load), in other embodiments, a swage machine hinge86 in a support plate 80 may be implemented in the same manner as aswage machine hinge 86A in a corresponding grab plate 58 and/or acorresponding die plate 60. Moreover, in other embodiments, a hingefastener 88 of a swage machine hinge 86A may be implemented to besecured in a fastener opening 92 in a hinge plate 90 and a fasteneropening 92 in a first plate section of a swage machine plate as well asa fastener opening 92 in a second plate section of the swage machineplate.

To help illustrate, a portion 95 of a swage machine plate (e.g., grabplate 58, die plate 60, or support plate 80), which includes anotherexample of a swage machine hinge 86B, is shown in FIG. 7. Similar to theswage machine hinges 86A in the grab plate 58A and the die plate 60A ofFIGS. 5 and 6, the swage machine hinge 86B of FIG. 7 includes a hingeplate 90, a first hinge fastener 88A, and a second hinge fastener 88B.In particular, similar to the swage machine hinges 86A in the grab plate58A and the die plate 60A of FIGS. 5 and 6, the first hinge fastener 88Ais used to secure the hinge plate 90 to a first (e.g., base) platesection 96A of the swage machine plate and the second hinge fastener 88Bis used to secure the hinge plate 90 to a second (e.g., pivotable) platesection 96B of the swage machine plate.

However, as depicted in FIG. 7, the second hinge fastener 88B isadditionally used to secure the hinge plate 90 to the first (e.g., base)plate section 96A of the swage machine plate. Nevertheless, similar toFIGS. 5 and 6, as depicted in FIG. 7, implementing a swage machine hinge86B in this manner may enable the hinge plate 90 of the swage machinehinge 86B to directly abut a corresponding plate sections 96, therebyreducing the presences of any air gap within the swage machine hinge 86Band, thus, at least in some instances, improving hinge strength.Moreover, implementing a swage machine hinge 86B in this manner maynevertheless enable the tradeoff between hinge strength and resultingswage machine weight to be adaptively adjusted. For example, when lessforce (e.g., stress and/or load) is expected to be exerted on a (e.g.,grab) plate of a swage machine 38, thinner hinge plates 90 may be usedin swage machine hinges 86B of the swage machine plate to facilitatereducing the weight of the swage machine 38. On the other hand, whenmore force is expected to be exerted on a (e.g., die) plate of a swagemachine, thicker hinge plates 90 may be used in swage machine hinges 86Bof the swage machine plate to facilitate improving hinge strength. Infact, in some embodiments, different thickness hinge plates 90 may beswapped into a swage machine hinge 86B based at least in part on theforce expected to be exerted thereon.

However, it should be appreciated that the depicted example is merelyintended to be illustrative and not limiting. In particular, in otherembodiments, a swage machine hinge 86B may nevertheless include multiplehinge plates 90. In other words, in such embodiments, the swage machinehinge 86B may additionally include another hinge plate 90, which isimplemented to be secured to opposite sides of corresponding platesections 96.

In any case, to facilitate the presence of any air gap within the swagemachine hinge 86B, as in the example depicted in FIG. 7, in someembodiments, hinge extensions 97 may be implemented on the first platesection 96A and the second plate section 96B such that the combinedthickness of the hinge extensions 97 approximately matches the thicknessof the remainder of the plate sections 96. For example, in some suchembodiments, a hinge extension 97 may be implemented on a plate section96 of a swage machine plate such that the thickness of the hingeextension 97 is approximately half the thickness of the remainder of theplate section 96. In any case, implementing a swage machine hinge 86 inaccordance with the present disclosure may enable a pivotable platesection 84 of a swage machine plate to rotate (e.g., pivot) relative tothe base plate section 82 of the swage machine plate, for example, dueto rotation of a hinge plate 90 relative to the base plate section 82and/or rotation of the pivotable plate section 84 relative to the hingeplate 90.

However, to facilitate improving control over the transition of a swagemachine plate (e.g., grab plate 58, die plate 60, or support plate 80)between its opened state and its closed state, in some embodiments, oneor more plate sections 96 of the swage machine plate may be implementedto limit rotation of a hinge plate 90 relative thereto. For example, insome such embodiments, the base plate section 82 of a swage machineplate may be implemented to block rotation of a hinge plate 90 relativethereto, thereby resulting in a corresponding pivotable plate section 84of the swage machine plate rotating relative to the base plate section82 due solely to rotation of the pivotable plate section 84 relative tothe hinge plate 90. Additionally or alternatively, although a hingeplate 90 is allowed to rotate relative thereto, a pivotable platesection 84 of a swage machine plate may be implemented to limit rotationto a specific range.

To facilitate limiting rotation of a hinge plate 90 relative to a platesection 96 of a swage machine plate, as in the example depicted in FIGS.5 and 6, in some embodiments, a hinge plate recess 94 may be implementedin the plate section 96, for example, such that the hinge plate recess94 surrounds a corresponding fastener opening 92 in the plate section96. In particular, to facilitate limiting rotation of a hinge plate 90to a specific range, in some embodiments, a hinge plate recess 94 in a(e.g., pivotable) plate section 96 of a swage machine plate may beimplemented such that the shape of a first side of the hinge platerecess 94 generally matches the shape of a first side of a correspondingend of the hinge plate 90 when the hinge plate 90 is at one end of thespecific rotation range and the shape of a second (e.g., opposite) sideof the hinge plate recess 94 generally matches the shape of a second(e.g., opposite) side of the corresponding end of the hinge plate 90when the hinge plate 90 is at the other end of the specific rotationrange. Additionally, to facilitate blocking rotation of a hinge plate 90relative thereto, in some embodiments, a hinge plate recess 94 in a(e.g., base) plate section 96 of a swage machine plate may beimplemented such that the shape of the hinge plate recess 94 generallymatches the shape of a corresponding end of the hinge plate 90.

However, it should again be appreciated that the depicted example ismerely intended to be illustrative and not limiting. In particular, tofacilitate blocking rotation of a hinge plate 90 relative to a platesection 96 of a swage machine plate, in some embodiments, the hingefastener 88 used to secure the hinge plate 90 to the plate section 96may be a shear screw, for example, instead of a bolt. Additionally,although depicted as terminating in a second hinge plate 90B, in otherembodiments, a hinge fastener 88 of a swage machine hinge 86 may insteadterminate in a corresponding plate section 96, for example, when theswage machine hinge 86 does not include the second hinge plate 90B.Alternatively, although depicted as terminating in a second hinge plate90B, in other embodiments, a hinge fastener 88 (e.g., bolt) of a swagemachine hinge 86 may instead extend through the second hinge plate 90B.In other words, at least in such embodiments, a hinge fastener 88 in aswage machine hinge 86 may additionally include a nut, which isimplemented to be secured to a threaded end of a bolt in the hingefastener 88.

In any case, as in the depicted example, in some embodiments, a swagemachine 38 may additionally include an equipment base 99 secured to thebase plate section 82 of its die plate 60. In particular, the equipmentbase 99 of the swage machine 38A may be implemented to facilitate movingthe swage machine 38A, for example, via a crane. Additionally, as in thedepicted example, to facilitate transitioning a swage machine 38 betweenits opened state and its closed state, in some embodiments, one or morebase actuators 98, which are shown in dashed lines so as not obstructother features, may each be secured between the equipment base 99 of theswage machine 38 and a corresponding plate section 96 of the swagemachine 38.

In particular, as in the depicted example, in some embodiments, eachbase actuator 98 may be secured such that its actuator cylinder 78 ispivotably secured to the equipment base 99 and its actuator piston 76 ispivotably secured to a corresponding pivotable plate section 84 of aswage machine plate. Accordingly, as depicted in FIG. 5, operating abase actuator 98 to retract its actuator piston 76 into its actuatorcylinder 78 may cause a corresponding pivotable plate section 84 of thedie plate 60A to rotate (e.g., pivot) toward its securement point 100 onthe equipment base 99. In other words, since the pivotable platesections 84 of the die plate 60A are connected to the pivotable platesections 84 of the grab plate 58A via the actuator pistons 76 of theswaging actuators 64 and to the pivotable plate sections 84 of thesupport plate 80 via the actuator cylinders 78 of the swaging actuators64, operating the operating the base actuator 98 to retract its actuatorpiston 76 into its actuator cylinder 78 may facilitate transitioning theswage machine 38A from its closed state toward its opened state.

On the other hand, as depicted in FIG. 6, operating a base actuator 98to extend its actuator piston 76 out from its actuator cylinder 78 maycause a corresponding pivotable plate section 84 of the die plate 60A torotate (e.g., pivot) away from its securement point 100 on the equipmentbase 99. In other words, since the pivotable plate sections 84 of thedie plate 60A are connected to the pivotable plate sections 84 of thegrab plate 58A via the actuator pistons 76 of the swaging actuators 64and to the pivotable plate sections 84 of the support plate 80 via theactuator cylinders 78 of the swaging actuators 64, operating the baseactuator 98 to extend its actuator piston 76 out from its actuatorcylinder 78 may facilitate transitioning the swage machine 38A from itsopened state toward its closed state. In this manner, a swage machine 38with improved hinge strength may be implemented and/or operated toselective transition between its opened state, which enables the swagemachine 38 to be deployed at or removed from a pipe fitting 18, and aclosed state, which enables the swage machine 38 to swage the pipefitting 18.

However, it should again be appreciated that the depicted example ismerely intended to be illustrative and not limiting. In particular, inother embodiments, a base actuator 98 may be secured such that itsactuator piston 76 is secured to the equipment base 99 of a swagemachine 38 while is actuator cylinder 78 is secured to a correspondingpivotable plate section 84. Additionally, in other embodiments, a swagemachine 38 may not include an equipment base 99. Furthermore, in otherembodiments, a swage machine 38 may not include a base actuator 98, forexample, when the swage machine 38 is implemented to be manuallytransitioned between its opened state and its closed state.

In any case, as in the depicted example, to facilitate maintaining aswage machine 38 in its closed state, in some embodiments, the swagemachine 38 may additionally include a pinning assembly 102. Inparticular, as in the depicted example, a pinning assembly 102 of aswage machine 38 may include a manual pinning sub-assembly 104 having apinning fastener 106, such as a bolt or a screw, one or more pinningplates 108, which are implemented to be secured to a plate section 96 ofa swage machine plate (e.g., grab plate 58) via the pinning fastener106, and a manual pin 110, which is implemented to be inserted in a pinopening 112 in an opposing plate section 96 of the swage machine plateand a pin opening 112 in each of the one or more pinning plates 108.Accordingly, as depicted in FIG. 6, since the plate sections 96 of thegrab plate 58A are connected to the plate sections 96 of the die plate60A via actuator pistons 76 of the swaging actuators 64, inserting themanual pin 110 in the plate section pin opening 112 and eachcorresponding pinning plate pin opening 112 may facilitate maintainingthe swage machine 38A in its closed state.

Additionally, as in the depicted example, in some embodiments, a pinningassembly 102 of a swage machine 38 may include an automated pinningsub-assembly 114. In particular, as in the depicted example, similar toa manual pinning sub-assembly 104, an automated pinning sub-assembly 114may include a pinning fastener 106, such as a bolt or a screw, and oneor more pinning plates 108, which are implemented to be secured to aplate section 96 of a swage machine plate (e.g., die plate 60) via thepinning fastener 106. However, instead of a manual pin 110, as in thedepicted example, the automated pinning sub-assembly 114 may include apinning actuator 116, which is implemented and/or operated toselectively insert its actuator piston 76 into a pin opening 112 in anopposing plate section 96 of the swage machine plate and eachcorresponding pin opening 112 in the one or more pinning plates 108.Accordingly, as depicted in FIG. 6, since the plate sections 96 of thedie plate 60A are connected to the plate sections 96 of the grab plate58A via actuator pistons 76 of the swaging actuators 64, inserting theactuator piston 76 of the pinning actuator 116 into the plate sectionpin opening 112 and each corresponding pinning plate pin opening 112 mayfacilitate maintaining the swage machine 38A in its closed state.

However, it should again be appreciated that the depicted example ismerely intended to be illustrative and not limiting. In particular, inother embodiments, a swage machine 38 may not include a pinning assembly102, for example, when the swage machine 38 is implemented to rely onbase actuators 98 to hold the swage machine 38 in its closed state.Additionally, in other embodiments, a pinning assembly 102 of a swagemachine 38 may include only a manual pinning sub-assembly 104 or only anautomated pinning sub-assembly 114. Furthermore, in other embodiments, amanual pinning sub-assembly 104 may be implemented on the die plate 60of a swage machine 38 while an automated pinning sub-assembly 114 may beimplemented on the grab plate 58 of the swage machine 38. In any case,in this manner, a swage machine 38 may be implemented with improvedhinge strength, which, at least in some instances, may facilitateimproving load capacity of the swage machine 38, for example, tofacilitate making the swage machine 38 suitable for swaging largerdiameter pipe fittings 18 in a pipeline system 10.

To help further illustrate, an example of a process 118 for implementinga swage machine 38 is described in FIG. 8. Generally, the process 118includes implementing a grab plate with a grab tab (process block 120)and implementing a die plate with a die seat (process block 122).Additionally, the process 118 generally includes securing an actuatorcylinder of a swaging actuator to the die plate (process block 124) andsecuring an actuator piston of the swaging actuator to the grab platethrough the die plate (process block 126).

Although described in a specific order, which corresponds with anembodiment of the present disclosure, it should be appreciated that theexample process 118 is merely intended to be illustrative andnon-limiting. In particular, in other embodiments, a process 118 forimplementing a swage machine 38 may include one or more additionalprocess blocks and/or omit one or more of the depicted process blocks.For example, some embodiments of the process 118 may additionallyinclude securing an equipment base to the die plate (process block 128)while other embodiments of the process 118 do not. As another example,some embodiments of the process 118 may additionally includeimplementing a support plate (process block 130) while other embodimentsof the process 118 do not. As a further example, some embodiments of theprocess 118 may additionally include securing a base actuator betweenthe equipment base and a pivotable plate section (process block 132)while other embodiments of the process 118 do not. Moreover, in otherembodiments, one or more of the depicted process blocks may be performedin a different order, for example, such that the die plate isimplemented before the grab plate.

In any case, as described above, a swage machine 38 may generallyinclude a grab plate 58 having a grab tab 66, which is implemented tomatingly interlock with a grab notch 68 that runs circumferentiallyalong an outer surface of a pipe fitting 18 to be swaged by the swagemachine 38 to facilitate securing the swage machine 38 to the pipefitting 18. As such, implementing a swage machine 38 may generallyinclude implementing a grab plate 58 with a grab tab 66 that is expectedto matingly interlock with a grab notch 68 on a pipe fitting 18 to beswaged by the swage machine 38 (process block 120). In particular, insome embodiments, the grab plate 58 of a swage machine 38 may beimplemented at least in part using metal, such as carbon steel,stainless steel, duplex stainless steel, super duplex stainless steel,or any combination thereof.

In addition to a grab plate 58, as described above, a swage machine 38may generally include a die plate 60 having a die seat 69 that isimplemented to enable a set of die segments 70, which are to be used toswage a pipe fitting 18, to be loaded in the swage machine 38. As such,implementing a swage machine 38 may generally include implementing a dieplate 60 with a die seat 69, which enables a set of die segments 70 tobe loaded in the swage machine 38 (process block 122). In particular, insome embodiments, the die plate 60 of a swage machine 38 may beimplemented at least in part using metal, such as carbon steel,stainless steel, duplex stainless steel, super duplex stainless steel,or any combination thereof.

As described above, in some embodiments, a swage machine 38 mayadditionally include an equipment base 99 secured to its die plate 60,for example, to facilitate moving the swage machine 38 using a crane. Inother words, in such embodiments, implementing the swage machine 38 mayinclude securing an equipment base 99 to its die plate 60 (process block128). In particular, in some such embodiments, the equipment base 99 mayimplemented at least in part using metal, such as carbon steel,stainless steel, duplex stainless steel, super duplex stainless steel,or any combination thereof, and, thus, secured to the die plate 60 usinghot tooling, such as welding, brazing, or the like.

In addition to its grab plate 58 and its die plate 60, as describedabove, in some embodiments, a swage machine 38 may include a supportplate 80. In other words, in such embodiments, implementing the swagemachine 38 may include implementing a support plate (process block 130).In particular, in some embodiments, the support plate 80 of a swagemachine 38 may be implemented at least in part using metal, such ascarbon steel, stainless steel, duplex stainless steel, super duplexstainless steel, or any combination thereof.

In any case, as described above, to enable a swage machine 38 toselectively transition between its opened state and its closed state,each plate (e.g., grab plate 58, die plate 60, and/or support plate 80)in the swage machine 38 may be implemented using multiple plate sections96—namely a base plate section 82 and one or more pivotable platesections 84. In particular, to facilitate transitioning between theopened state and the closed state, each pivotable plate section 84 of aswage machine plate may be implemented to rotate (e.g., pivot) relativeto the base plate section 82 of the swage machine plate. To enable apivotable plate section 84 to rotate relative to a corresponding baseplate section 82, the pivotable plate section 84 may be connected to thebase plate section 82 via a hinge 86. In other words, implementing aswage machine plate may include implementing multiple plate sections 96and implementing a swage machine hinge 86.

To help further illustrate, an example of a process 134 for implementinga (e.g., grab, die, or support) plate of a swage machine 38 is describedin FIG. 9. Generally, the process 134 includes implementing a base platesection with a fastener opening (process block 136) and implementing apivotable plate section with a fastener opening (process block 138).Additionally, the process 134 generally includes securing a hinge plateto the base plate section and the pivotable plate section via fasteners(process block 140).

Although described in a specific order, which corresponds with anembodiment of the present disclosure, it should be appreciated that theexample process 134 is merely intended to be illustrative andnon-limiting. In particular, in other embodiments, a process 134 forimplementing a swage machine plate may include one or more additionalprocess blocks and/or omit one or more of the depicted process blocks.For example, some embodiments of the process 134 may additionallyinclude securing another hinge plate to the base plate section and thepivotable plate section via the fasteners (process block 142) whileother embodiments of the process 134 do not. Moreover, in otherembodiments, one or more of the depicted process blocks may be performedin a different order, for example, such that the pivotable plate sectionis implemented before the base plate section.

In any case, as described above, to enable a swage machine plate (e.g.,grab plate 58, die plate 60, or support plate 80) to selectivelytransition between its opened state and its closed state, the swagemachine plate may generally include a base plate section 82 and one ormore pivotable plate sections 84, which are implemented to rotate (e.g.,pivot) relative to the base plate section 82. In particular, to enable apivotable plate section 84 to rotate relative to the base plate section82, as described above, one or more hinge plates 90 may be secured tothe base plate section 82 and the pivotable plate section 84 via hingefasteners 88, such as bolts or screws. As such, implementing a swagemachine plate may generally include implementing a base plate section 82with one or more fastener openings 92 (process block 136) andimplementing one or more pivotable plate sections 84 each with afastener opening 92 (process block 138). In particular, in someembodiments, a fastener opening 92 may be implemented in a plate section96 during initial manufacture of the plate section 96, for example, atleast in part by using a mold that blocks material from forming at atarget location of the fastener opening 92. However, in otherembodiments, a fastener opening 92 may be implemented in a plate section96 after initial manufacture of the plate section 96, for example, atleast in part by drilling and/or milling the plate section 96.

Additionally, as described above, to facilitate limiting rotation of ahinge plate 90 relative thereto, in some embodiments, a plate section 96of a swage machine plate may include a hinge plate recess 94 implementedaround a fastener opening 92 in the plate section 96. In other words, insome such embodiments, implementing the base plate section 82 mayinclude implementing a hinge plate recess 94 around its base sectionfastener opening 92, for example, such that the shape of the hinge platerecess 94 generally matches the shape of a corresponding end of a hingeplate 90 and, thus, facilitates blocking rotation of the hinge plate 90relative to the base plate section 82 (process block 144). Additionally,in some such embodiments, implementing a pivotable plate section 84 mayinclude implementing a hinge plate recess 94 around its pivotablesection fastener opening 92, for example, such that the shape of thehinge plate recess 94 facilitates limiting rotation of a correspondinghinge plate 90 to a specific range relative to the pivotable platesection 84 (process block 146). In any case, in some embodiments, ahinge plate recess 94 may be implemented in a plate section 96 duringinitial manufacture of the plate section 96, for example, at least inpart by using a mold that blocks material from forming at a targetlocation of the hinge plate recess 94. However, in other embodiments, ahinge plate recess 94 may be implemented in a plate section 96 afterinitial manufacture of the plate section 96, for example, at least inpart by drilling and/or milling the plate section 96.

Furthermore, as described above, in addition to a fastener opening 92,in some embodiments, a plate section 96 of a swage machine plate mayinclude another fastener opening 92, which is implemented to align witha fastener opening 92 in another plate section 96 of the swage machineplate. In other words, in some such embodiments, implementing the baseplate section 82 may include implementing another fastener opening 92 tobe aligned with a fastener opening 92 in a corresponding pivotable platesection 84 (process block 148). Additionally, as described above, tofacilitate reducing the presence of any air gap within a resulting swagemachine hinge 86, in some such embodiments, the base plate section 82and the pivotable plate section 84 may each be implemented with a hingeextension 97 such that a combined thickness of the hinge extensions 97generally matches the thickness of the remainder of the plate sections96. In any case, in some embodiments, a hinge extension 97 may beimplemented on a plate section 96 during initial manufacture of theplate section 96, for example, at least in part by using a mold thatenables material to be formed at a target location of the hingeextension 97. However, in other embodiments, a hinge extension 97 may beimplemented in a plate section 96 after initial manufacture of the platesection 96, for example, at least in part by drilling and/or milling theplate section 96.

In any case, a (e.g., first) hinge plate 90 may then be secured to thebase plate section 82 and a corresponding pivotable plate section 84 ofthe one or more pivotable plate sections 84 via hinge fasteners 88, suchas a bolt or a screw (process block 140). In particular, as describedabove, a hinge plate 90 may be secured to a base plate section 82 atleast in part by securing a first hinge fastener 88A through a firstfastener opening 92A in the hinge plate 90 and a corresponding fasteneropening 92 in the base plate section 82 (process block 150). In fact, insome embodiments, a first end of the hinge plate 90 may be disposedwithin a hinge plate recess 94, which is implemented in the base platesection 82 around the base section fastener opening 92, to facilitatealigning the first hinge plate fastener opening 92A with the basesection fastener opening 92, for example, in addition to blockingrotation of the hinge plate 90 relative to the base plate section 82(process block 152). In any case, to facilitate improving hingestrength, as described above, the first hinge fastener 88A may besecured through the first hinge plate fastener opening 92A to the basesection fastener opening 92 such that the hinge plate 90 and the baseplate section 82 directly abut one another.

Additionally, as described above, a (e.g., first) hinge plate 90 may besecured to a pivotable plate section 84 at least in part by securing asecond hinge fastener 88B through a second fastener opening 92B in thehinge plate 90 and a corresponding fastener opening 92 in the pivotableplate section 84 (process block 154). In fact, in some embodiments, asecond (e.g., opposite) end of the hinge plate 90 may be disposed withina hinge plate recess 94, which is implemented in the pivotable platesection 84 around the pivotable section fastener opening 92, tofacilitate aligning the second hinge plate fastener opening 92B with thepivotable section fastener opening 92, for example, in addition tolimiting rotation of the hinge plate 90 to a specific range relative tothe pivotable plate section 84 (process block 156). In any case, tofacilitate improving hinge strength, as described above, the secondhinge fastener 88B may be secured through the second hinge platefastener opening 92B to the pivotable section fastener opening 92 suchthat the hinge plate 90 and the pivotable plate section 84 directly abutone another.

Furthermore, as described above, in some embodiments, the second hingefastener 88B may be used to secure a hinge plate 90 to a pivotable platesection 84 as well as a corresponding base plate section 82. In otherwords, in such embodiments, securing the hinge plate 90 to the baseplate section 82 and a pivotable plate section 84 may include securingthe second hinge fastener 88B through the second fastener opening 92B inthe hinge plate 90 and a fastener opening 92 in the pivotable platesection 84 to a fastener opening 92 in the base plate section 82(process block 158). In particular, as described above, to facilitateimproving hinge strength, in some such embodiments, the second hingefastener 88B may be secured through the second hinge plate fasteneropening 92B and the pivotable section fastener opening 92 to the basesection fastener opening 92 such that the base plate section 82 and thepivotable plate section 84 directly abut one another.

To facilitate further improving hinge strength, as described above, insome embodiments, one or more hinge fasteners 88 may be pre-loaded(process block 160). In particular, as described above, a hinge fastener88 may be pre-loaded at least in part by tightening the hinge fastener88 beyond what is sufficient to cause a hinge plate 90 to directly abuta corresponding plate section 96 of a swage machine plate. In otherwords, pre-loading the hinge fastener 88 may compress the hinge plate 90and the plate section 96 toward one another, which, at least in someinstances, may facilitate further improving hinge strength, for example,due to the compressive force further reducing any air gap between thehinge plate 90 and the plate section 96 of the swage machine plate.

However, at least in some instances, securing a hinge plate 90 to aplate section 96 of a swage machine plate via a pre-loaded hingefastener 88 may increase the difficulty with which they pivot relativeto one another and, thus, the difficulty with which the swage machineplate can be transitioned between its opened state and its closed state.To facilitate improving the ease with which the swage machine plate canbe transitioned between its opened state and its closed state, in someembodiments, in some embodiments, bearings may be disposed within thefastener opening 92 in the base plate section 82. In other words, insuch embodiments, implementing the base plate section 82 may includedisposing bearings within its base section fastener opening 92 (processblock 162). Additionally or alternatively, to facilitate improving theease with which the swage machine plate can be transitioned between itsopened state and its closed state, in some embodiments, bearings may bedisposed within the fastener opening 92 in a pivotable plate section 84.In other words, in such embodiments, implementing a pivotable platesection 84 may include disposing bearings within its pivotable sectionfastener opening 92 (process block 164).

Moreover, as described above, to facilitate further improving hingestrength, in some embodiments, a swage machine hinge 86 may beimplemented with multiple hinge plates 90. In other words, in suchembodiments, implementing the swage machine plate may include securinganother (e.g., second) hinge plate 90 to the base plate section 82 and acorresponding pivotable plate section 84 via the hinge fasteners 88(process block 142). In particular, as described above, in some suchembodiments, the hinge fasteners 88 may be used to secure a hinge plate90 to outward-facing (e.g., first) sides of the base plate section 82and the pivotable plate section 84 as well as to secure the other hingeplate 90 to inward-facing (e.g., second and/or opposite) sides of thebase plate section 82 and the pivotable plate section 84. In thismanner, a (e.g., grab, die, or support) plate of a swage machine 38 maybe implemented with improved hinge strength, which, at least in someinstances, may facilitate improving load capacity of the swage machine38, for example, to facilitate making the swage machine 38 suitable forswaging larger diameter pipe fittings 18 in a pipeline system 10.

Returning to the process 118 of FIG. 8, the actuator cylinders 78 of oneor more swaging actuators 64 may then be secured to the die plate 60 ofthe swage machine 38 (process block 124). As described above, tofacilitate supporting a swaging actuator 64, in some embodiments, theactuator cylinder 78 of the swaging actuator 64 may additionally besecured to the support plate 80 of the swage machine 38. In other words,in such embodiments, securing the actuator cylinder 78 of a swagingactuator 64 may include securing the actuator cylinder 78 between thedie plate 60 and the support plate 80 (process block 166). Additionally,to facilitate controlling movement of the grab plate 58 and the dieplate 60 in an axial direction 72 relative to one another and, thus,swaging of a pipe fitting 18, as described above, the actuator pistons76 of one or more swaging actuators 64 may be secured to the grab plate58 of the swage machine 38 through the die plate 60 of the swage machine38 (process block 126).

Moreover, as described above, to facilitate controlling transitioning ofa swage machine 38 between its opened state and its closed state, insome embodiments, the swage machine 38 may include one or more baseactuators 98, which are each secured between the equipment base 99 ofthe swage machine 38 and a corresponding pivotable plate section 84 ofthe swage machine 38. In other words, in such embodiments, implementingthe swage machine 38 may include securing one or more base actuators 98between the equipment base 99 of the swage machine 38 and acorresponding pivotable plate section 84, for example, in the die plate60 (process block 132). In this manner, the present disclosure providestechniques for implementing a swage machine 38 with improved hingestrength, which, at least in some instances, may facilitate improvingload capacity of the swage machine 38, for example, to facilitate makingthe swage machine 38 suitable for swaging larger diameter pipe fittings18 in a pipeline system 10.

While the present disclosure has been described with respect to alimited number of embodiments, those skilled in the art, having benefitof this disclosure, will appreciate that other embodiments may bedevised which do not depart from the scope of the disclosure asdescribed herein. Accordingly, the scope of the disclosure should belimited only by the attached claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system comprising: a pipe fitting configured to be secured to a pipe segment having tubing that defines a pipe bore and a fluid conduit in a tubing annulus; and a swage machine, wherein the swage machine comprises: a grab plate having a grab tab configured to matingly interlock with a grab notch on the pipe fitting to facilitate securing the swage machine to the pipe fitting; and a die plate having a die seat configured to enable a set of die segments to be used to conformally deform a portion of the pipe fitting around the tubing of the pipe segment to be loaded in the swage machine, wherein the die plate and the grab plate comprise: a base plate section; a hinge plate secured to the base plate section via a first hinge fastener such that the hinge plate directly abuts the base plate section; and a pivotable plate section secured to the hinge plate via a second hinge fastener such that the hinge plate directly abuts the pivotable plate section, wherein the pivotable plate section is configured to rotate relative to the base plate section to facilitate transitioning the swage machine between an opened state and a closed state.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein: the swage machine is configured to be deployed at or removed from the pipe fitting while in the opened state; and the swage machine is configured to conformally deform the portion of the pipe fitting around the tubing of the pipe segment while in the closed state.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the die plate and the grab plate of the swage machine comprise: an other hinge plate secured to the base plate section of the swage machine via another first hinge fastener such that the other hinge plate directly abuts the base plate section; and an other pivotable plate section secured to the other hinge plate via another second hinge fastener such that the other hinge plate directly abuts the other pivotable plate section.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein: the hinge plate of the swage machine is secured to first sides of the base plate section and the pivotable plate section; and the die plate and the grab plate of the swage machine comprise another hinge plate secured to second sides of the base plate section and the pivotable plate section via the first hinge fastener and the second hinge fastener.
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein: the die plate of the swage machine comprises the base plate section, the hinge plate, and the pivotable plate section; and the grab plate of the swage machine comprises: an other base plate section; an other hinge plate secured to the other base plate section via another first hinge fastener such that the other hinge plate directly abuts the other base plate section; and an other pivotable plate section secured to the other hinge plate via another second hinge fastener such that the other hinge plate directly abuts the other pivotable plate section, wherein the other pivotable plate section is configured to rotate relative to the other base plate section to facilitate transitioning the swage machine between the opened state and the closed state.
 6. The system of claim 1, wherein the swage machine comprises a support plate and a swaging actuator, wherein the swaging actuator comprises: an actuator cylinder secured between the die plate and the support plate of the swage machine; and an actuator piston secured to the grab plate through the die plate of the swage machine.
 7. The system of claim 1, wherein: the base plate section of the swage machine comprises a first hinge plate recess in which a first end of the hinge plate is secured; and the pivotable plate section of the swage machine comprises a second hinge plate recess in which a second end of the hinge plate is configured to be secured.
 8. The system of claim 7, wherein: the first hinge plate recess in the base plate section is configured to block rotation of the hinge plate relative to the base plate section; and the second hinge plate recess in the pivotable plate section is configured to limit rotation of the hinge plate to a specific range relative to the pivotable plate section.
 9. The system of claim 1 wherein the swage machine comprises: an equipment base secured to the base plate section of the swage machine; and a base actuator secured between the equipment base and the pivotable plate section of the swage machine, wherein the base actuator is configured to: extend to facilitate transitioning the swage machine toward the closed state; and retract to facilitate transitioning the swage machine toward the opened state.
 10. The system of claim 1, wherein the hinge plate of the swage machine is also secured to the base plate section of the swage machine via the second hinge fastener such that the base plate section directly abuts the pivotable plate section. 